Long flights can be tiring for young children, and even more so for you if you don't find some way to keep your child busy. Many parents are frightened of spending hours on a plane with a small child, but there are ways to make the experience as relaxing and comfortable as possible. Start reading to make traveling with a small child much easier.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Part 1: Prepare for Flight
Step 1. Learn about airplanes and flights
Toddlers ask a million questions, and it will help if you are able to answer your child's questions at their level. One idea may be to learn about the parts of the plane, for example, and how high and fast it flies; you will be able to explain all this to him during the flight.
Step 2. Explain the rules in advance
Before taking the flight, tell your child what will happen on the plane and how you want them to behave. Children are calmer and happier when they know what to expect.
If you've never boarded a plane before, consider buying a children's book on the subject. This strategy will help you explain your expectations in advance, and by the time it is time for the actual flight, the situation will be more familiar to your child (and perhaps less frightening)
Step 3. Make sure he has slept enough
Babies tend to be nervous, short-tempered, and cry easily when they are too tired. Allow for a full night's sleep before your flight, even if it means adjusting your usual bedtime.
You may be tempted to make your child sleepy when you board, but this strategy could backfire on you. The excitement of the plane could keep him awake and cause him to feel very tired (and possibly quite short-tempered) later on
Step 4. Bring some food
Hunger also makes small children intractable. On some flights, snacks and meals are served, but it's best not to rely on what the flight might offer. Bring something easy to carry that you know they'll like.
Cereals, cheese, cereal bars, baby food, bananas and nuts appeal to most children and are easy to pack in hand luggage. If eating healthy is important to you, there is no reason to resort to cookies and chips
Step 5. Put some of your child's favorite things in hand luggage
Books, small toys, paints and soft toys are easy to pack and will come in handy during the flight.
Step 6. Bring in a new game or two as well
In addition to the games they prefer, it is a good strategy to buy or borrow some new games that your child can discover on the plane. Beautiful surprises can be suitable to make a small child happy and to make him cooperate.
Step 7. Take him to the bathroom before boarding the plane
If you still use diapers, change it just before your flight; if he has stopped using them, take him to the bathroom just before boarding, this will reduce the number of times you have to deal with them on the plane.
Method 2 of 2: Part 2: Keep Your Child Busy During the Flight
Step 1. Get started with books and toys right away
The books, games, or stuffed animals you've packed are likely to keep him busy, at least for a while.
- Consider taking one at a time, to maximize the amount of time he will be happily busy. At first you can read a book together, then take out a toy to play with, then pull out a soft toy to hug, and so on.
- Your child will be happier (and time will pass faster) if you play with books and toys together. Don't just give it some color! Spend time coloring together or teach them to draw a new thing, maybe a plane!
Step 2. Be creative
Use whatever is available (tinfoil, paper, plastic cups, whatever) to create new toys and distractions.
Step 3. Consider technological distractions
If you have your laptop with you, you can have them watch cartoons or some educational program; if you have MP3, you can play him some music.
If you use electronic devices, be polite and have them put on headphones to avoid disturbing other passengers
Step 4. Offer snacks
Grab some snacks that you put in your hand luggage and offer them one at a time to your child. They will keep him happy and busy for a while.
Don't overdo it, especially if you think he may be suffering from air sickness. You don't want to make him feel bad
Step 5. Socializing with other children can be an idea
If there is another small child sitting next to you, have them play together. They can exchange toys or just talk; in any case, the flight will probably pass more quickly.
Advice
- Praise him regularly when he behaves well. Compliment your child when he remembers to speak softly or follows your instructions without protesting. Constant positive encouragement usually works better than reproaching him all the time.
- Be positive. If you are happy and relaxed, he too will be in a good mood.
- After your flight, make sure he has time to rest and relax before taking up another activity. A little milk or juice, something to eat, and a little time to run and play work wonders for a young child's mood.
